GERMANY
FIFA World Ranking: 12
Previous Best: Winners 1972 1980 & 1996
Last 5 Euros (Latest first): SF-SF-RU-Groups-Groups
How Qualified: Winners Group C
Qualifying Record: P8 W7 D0 L1 F30 A7 GD23 Pts21
Tournament Odds: 9/1
Squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern), Bernd Leno (Arsenal), Kevin Trapp (Frankfurt)
Defenders: Emre Can (Dortmund), Matthias Ginter (Mönchengladbach), Robin Gosens (Atalanta), Christian Günter (Freiburg), Marcel Halstenberg (Leipzig), Mats Hummels (Dortmund), Lukas Klostermann (Leipzig), Robin Koch (Leeds), Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea), Niklas Süle (Bayern)
Midfielders: Serge Gnabry (Bayern), Leon Goretzka (Bayern), İlkay Gündoğan (Manchester City), Jonas Hofmann (Mönchengladbach), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern), Florian Neuhaus (Mönchengladbach), Leroy Sané (Bayern)
Forwards: Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Thomas Müller (Bayern), Kevin Volland (Monaco), Timo Werner (Chelsea)
Group Fixtures
June 15 vs France (8pm – Munich)
June 19 vs Portugal (5pm – Munich)
June 23 vs Hungary (8pm – Munich)
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History
Germany are one of the most successful teams in the history of the European Championships along with Spain. They have won the tournament three times but it is probably a surprise to many that they haven’t won the competition since 1996. Their fans won’t need reminding that the final stages of that event were held at Wembley and will be hoping that lightning therefore strikes twice over the course of this tournament. Germany appear to be going in under the radar this year and history tells us that is often dangerous to the rest.
Qualifying
Germany actually landed themselves in one of the more awkward groups on paper with the Netherlands probably the toughest second seeds they could have faced in the competition. That didn’t bother them though as they came through with just the one defeat in their eight matches and with an avalanche of goals which they will hope to replicate throughout the main draw. Serge Gnabry was their leading light in qualifying with eight goals to his name.
Pandemic Effect
I don’t think the pandemic has had too much of an impact on this German side. You could argue that someone like Timo Werner would have been in better form this time last year but Germany are packed with quality throughout their ranks and the majority of their squad come here in decent form with many having won titles for their club side this term. One concern might be their Nations League and World Cup qualifying form, the latter of which saw them suffer defeat to North Macedonia last time out.
Strengths
Whenever a tournament gets underway you always hear how the Germans are a tournament team who get going on the big stage. That might be even stronger this year with them enjoying home advantage throughout the group stage of the tournament. A number of their players either play in England or have played in England in the past, so they will know what to expect come the latter stages should they get that far. Germany boast a large collection of high class midfielders who all have creativity and goals in them.
Weaknesses
Over time you would say that the defence of Germany has got a little weaker. There is a chance that someone like Emre Can could be employed at full-back which immediately reminds us that there isn’t a Philipp Rahm like player in this squad. Another concern might be their poor showing at the World Cup in Russia which could hang over the squad. A nightmare group draw certainly isn’t a positive either despite their home advantage.
Manager
Joachim Low has been in the Germany dugout for as long as most can remember but this tournament will be his swansong as he leaves the post after the competition. There is no doubting the success he has had as German boss having led them to the World Cup title in 2014 as well as third place in 2010 and also the final of this competition in 2008. His 15-year tenure as Germany boss also includes a Confederations Cup win in 2017 but more recently their form hasn’t been great as he has struggled to rebuild a defence which has left his famous high line as an accident waiting to happen. His record as Germany boss reads: P194 W123 D39 L32.
Key Players
With Timo Werner in seemingly poor form you have to look at the midfield for where the strength of this German ide lies with Joshua Kimmich in particular one of the likely standouts in the tournament if he performs to anything like his best. Ilkay Gundogan has had a great season for Manchester City and if he can produce that form in this competition along with the creative class of Toni Kroos, the Germans could be factors once again.
Team Bets
Germany didn’t just bomb out of the last World Cup in the group stage, they finished bottom of a group they should have dominated and only managed to score two goals in the three matches. It is hard to make a case for them dominating this group but it would be a surprise if they go out so tamely here and if they do then they have serious issues to sort out ahead of Qatar next year. It is hard to predict how they’ll go with any confidence though purely because of the tough group they are in.
Since the previous World Cup, Serge Gnabry has flew onto the scene and based on how far clear of anyone he was in the qualifying competition for this I think he could be worth a play in the top Germany goalscorer market at 3/1. He played in both the warm up matches so appears to be something of a favourite for Joachim Low and rightly so. I would imagine Low will rotate the likes of Werner, Muller and Havertz around and although you can’t rule out goals from this German midfield, I do think the pace and class of Gnabry is probably going to be their best outlet and their best threat. He scored double the goals anyone else did in qualifying for this competition so the 3/1 feels like a little bit of value on him.
Tips
Back S.Gnabry Top Germany Goalscorer for a 1/10 stake at 4.00 with BetVictor
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